2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 BMW 5 Series

The 2021 Acura TLX was a striking, sporty sedan that stood out in a crowded class. Its design featured an assertive stance, highlighted by a steeply raked windshield, a fastback-style roofline, and an integrated tail spoiler. The front end was bold, with a grille pattern radiating from the central Acura logo, flanked by horizontal "jewel eye" LED headlights. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes added to its sporty appeal. The paint quality was exceptional, and subtle chrome accents and tasteful badging enhanced its premium look. Inside, the TLX offered a "sport sedan cockpit" with a well-organized dash and high-quality materials. The 10.2-inch infotainment screen was strategically placed, giving the interior a modern and intentional design.

In contrast, the 2021 BMW 5 Series had a more restrained design, lacking the flamboyance of the 3 Series or the imposing presence of the 7 Series. The 2021 model received a minor refresh, resulting in a sleeker appearance. The standard LED headlights were more streamlined, and the twin-kidney grille was larger but not overly so. The M Sport Package added trapezoidal tailpipes, L-shaped taillights, and new bumpers. The interior retained the familiar BMW layout, with distinctive details that reinforced the brand's identity. While the materials varied by trim level, the 540i xDrive test car featured luxurious Nappa leather and aluminum trim, though the sporty steering wheel felt somewhat out of place.

The 2021 Acura TLX was equipped with a newly developed 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine, producing 272 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It featured a 10-speed automatic transmission and Acura’s Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) with torque vectoring. The TLX offered a dynamic driving experience with its Integrated Dynamics System, allowing drivers to choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport, or Individual modes. The Platinum Elite grade added adaptive dampers for a customizable ride. The TLX boasted improved torsional stiffness and rigidity, contributing to its solid and balanced feel on various road surfaces.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series offered a range of powertrain options. The base 530i had a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-100 km/h in 6.0 seconds. The 540i featured a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 335 hp and 362 lb-ft of torque, reaching 0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The M550i xDrive and M5 offered even more power with their V8 engines. The 5 Series excelled in handling, thanks to optional adaptive dampers, but felt more like a luxury car with sporty pretensions than a true driver’s car. The 530e plug-in hybrid provided an eco-friendly option with a 31 km electric range.

The 2021 Acura TLX's design choices, such as the shift-by-wire transmission, allowed for a reimagined centre console with a control panel inspired by the NSX. The console housed the infotainment interface, a mini touchpad, and cupholders. The rear seat comfortably accommodated two adults, while the front sport bucket seats offered 12-way or 16-way power adjustability. The trunk provided 382 litres of cargo space with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series, available only as a sedan in Canada, offered spacious front seats and a slightly less roomy rear seat compared to rivals. The 540i had a 396-litre trunk with a 40/20/20 split-folding rear bench. The test car featured 16-way power front seats with heating and ventilation, providing supportive bolstering. However, forward visibility was hindered by the long hood, though a surround-view camera system aided parking.

The 2021 Acura TLX was packed with technology, including drive-by-wire, shift-by-wire, and SH-AWD. The 10-speed automatic transmission featured Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. The TLX offered ambient interior lighting themes and the impressive ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker audio system. The infotainment system included navigation, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Platinum Elite grade added a head-up display and a G-Metre.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series featured a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with iDrive 7 and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. Standard features included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM. The rotary knob controller provided a tactile interface, while voice and gesture controls offered alternative options. However, the gesture controls were less precise, and the instrument cluster layout could be confusing.

The 2021 Acura TLX came with driver-assist technologies, including adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It featured a pedestrian injury mitigation design, ACE body structure, and a full complement of airbags. The TLX received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2021 BMW 5 Series had not been crash-tested by the IIHS, but the 2020 model received a "Top Safety Pick+" award. Standard safety features included lane-departure warning, automatic emergency braking, and blind-spot monitoring. The Driving Assistance Plus Package added adaptive cruise control and traffic-jam assist. BMW's driver-assist tech was noted for its sophistication and smooth operation.